In a Time of Ancient Gods
Researching the myths, heroes and themes we meet in the Xenaverse
Maternal Instincts
Episode Out 11/25/25!
Join lifelong friends, researchers, and Xenites, Hayley (PhD) and Justine (MLIS) as we discuss every Xena: Warrior Princess episode while researching the legends and historical contexts within the Xenaverse!
If you are interested in mythologies, feminism, the occult, ancient history, goofy creatures and powerful female protagonists — join us as we explore our favorite topics.
We do our best to release episodes monthly
Latest Episodes
Links To Season 3 Episodes
S3E14 Maternal Instincts Gather your fave Gabby moments and gird your heart! The episode we’ve been prepping for is finally here… MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research Rapid Aging, Changelings, and Toys of the Ancient Greek World!
S3E13 The Quill is Mightier... Gabby sends us all to the Jungian Cave of the Unconscious Mind and Xena goes fishing! MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research Early Greek Historical Fiction!
S3E12 Warrior...Priestess...Tramp Twin strangers part trois! A real WHO’S WHO of Lucy Lawlesses! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research the Concept of Virginity, and Ritual Mass Suicide.
S3E11 The King of Assassins Gabby snares an evil twin (not hers!) and Bruce Campbell romances the Queen of the Nile! MEANWHILE Hayley researches Bandits, Thieves, and the Greek God Hermes
S3E10 Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt and Last of the Ptolemaic Dynasty We continue our research into historical people who fought against, and within, the Roman Empire! In this side quest episode, Justine gives a solo report on the myths, histories, and legacy of Cleopatra: Queen of Egypt, the Last of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, and arguably, Empress of Rome. We meet Xenaverse Cleopatra in our next episode The King of Assassins. The majority of our research for this episode comes from Stacy Schiff's book Cleopatra: A Life
S3E9 The Debt Part 2 FLASHBACK PART DEUX!!!! Will Gabby and Xena EVER forgive each other?! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine discuss Cruel and Unusual Punishment in the Roman Empire and Dynastic China by Barrington Moore!
S3E8 The Debt Part 1 FLAAASHBAAACK!!!! Gabby continues her path of terrible choices, Evil Xena cracks some good ones, and we meet a female protagonist who saves us all -- body and soul! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research the Saka people of the Eurasian Steppe, Martial Art Film Choreography, the Ming Dynasty AND The Ming Era Great Wall!
S3E7 Zenobia: Warrior Queen of Palmyra We continue our research into historical figures who fought against, and within, the Roman Empire! In this sidequest episode, Justine gives a solo report on the myths, histories, and legacy of Septimia Zenobia! Queen of Palmyra and Warrior Empress of Rome!
S3E6 Gabrielle's Hope Xena's the rightful King of England and Gabby wears a stylish sack! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research Banshees, Excalibur and King Arthur!
S3E5 The Deliverer Xena meets some old friends and Gabby Meets some new ones! Boudica (FKA Boadicea)! Caesar! Cults! AN ULTIMATE TURNING POINT. MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research Khrafstar, Dahak, and give a little Goddess of Discord refresher! WE'RE REALLY IN IT NOW!!!
S3E4 Boudica: Warrior Queen of the Iceni In this episode Justine gives a solo report on the myth, histories, and legacy of the Celtic Queen Herself, Boudica! In the Xenaverse we first meet her as Xena's frenemy Boadicea via Season 3's episode The Deliverer. We were so taken with her that we put together a full Boudica research episode, based mostly on Vanessa Collingridge's book Boudica: The Life and Legends of Britain's Warrior Queen
S3E3 The Dirty Half-Dozen Ares is back with a new reckless protege, but all his old tricks! And Xena knows a guy who sleeps with both eyes open! MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research blacksmithing and gladiators!
S3E2 Been There Done That Living the dream! Repeat the day with Xena until everybody dies! Or lives! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research Honor Culture and Midwifery in Ancient Greece!
S3E1 The Furies Season 3 and new Xena lore has been UNLOCKED!!! Is she a god? Where’s her dad? What other secrets has Cyrene been keeping?!?! And Gabby saves the day with a story! MEANWHILE Justine and Hayley research Euripides' play Orestes and the portrayal of madness in Ancient Greek comedy AND tragedy!
Links To Season 2 Episodes
S2E25 A Comedy of Eros IT'S OUR SEASON 2 FINALE and love is in the air! Xena hearts another sensitive bad boy and Gabby learns the Joxer Theme! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research the Cupid & Psyche myth and discuss Monster Grooms!
S2E24 The Lost Mariner Gabby eats squid on a cursed ship, and we all swoon for the cursed & crushworthy captain of our dreams -- CECROPS! Xena teaches about problem solving, endurance and the many forms of love! MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research Cecrops and sea burial practices of the ancient Greeks and early modern Europeans! Stay tuned to the end of the episode for a special on-theme song from our favorite band (and friend of the pod) The Dead Sailor Girls!
S2E23 The Price Where was XENA when the Westfold Fell? MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research Genghis Khan and the Golden Horde, Swarms, Folk Horror, Feminist Utopias & Dystopias!
S2E22 Ulysses Another guy asks Xena to wear his dead wife’s dress and Gabby’s misery is our misery! MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research Sirens, Athena, Penelope, and the man with a plan himself, Ulysses!
S2E21 Blind Faith Gabby has a weekend at Bernie’s and WHERE in Ancient Greece is the eyewash station?? MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research the Enchiridion + what it might have been like in Xena's day to live with without eyesight!
S2 XENACON MINI EPISODE We documented our trip to Xenacon 2024 in LA! Posted exclusively to our Patreon page, but free for anyone to listen :) Spoiler alert: WE MEET LUCY & RENEE & TED!!!
S2E20 The Execution Xena meets Gabby's other hero crush! Bloodthirsty villagers in the bleachers! Will we ever meet the "one-eyed guy"?! MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research Meleager in mythology and the history of hourglasses!
S2E19 For Him The Bell Tolls Love Gods are in the air and Joxer causes a civil war! MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley discuss love spells in the ancient world & touch on Simone de Beauvoir’s social theories!
S2E18 A Day In The Life FINALLY, we get a full day with Xena & Gabby. Xena goes fishing! Gabby talks with villagers! We all play 20 questions! MEANWHILE, Justine & Hayley research the history of kites and Zagreus!!
S2E19 A Necessary Evil Xena & Gabby battle Amazons with immortal powers! Rats for lunch!! Femme vengeance!!! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research village & rodent life in the ancient world!
S2E16 The Quest Amazon politics! Bruce Campbell! We cannot believe Xena is still dead!!!! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research Amazon wannabe queen Velasca & ancient cases of spirit possession!
S2E15 Destiny Heartbreak! Crucifixion! Julias Caesar! And the woman who started it all! MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research Caesar and a lil bit about ancient Gaul!
S2E14 Here She Comes… Miss Amphipolis! We're back from our mini break! and WHAT AN EPISODE TO COME BACK TO!!! Gabby WOWS as the Contessa & Xena catches a snake! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research drag performance in ancient Greek theater & the history of Miss America pageants.
S2E13 The Xena Scrolls TIME TRAVEL! Women in STEM!! Indiana Jones?!! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research Macedonia in the 1940s, Nazis & archaeology, and ladies' roles in early archaeology!
S2E12 A Solstice Carol Xena saves a Scrooge and Gabby saves US from a trip to the glue factory! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research Solstice & Equinox celebrations from around the world, ancient Greek orphan life, and a brief history of Dickens' A Christmas Carol!
S2E11 Ten Little Warlords XenaisstillCallistoisstillXena! Can Ares help them swap their bodies back!? Will Gabby ever get her fishcakes?! MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research ancient greek ships & murder mystery games!
S2E10 Intimate Stranger NOT A WORD SINCE PERD! Let's swap bodies and takedown Ares' latest plot to conquer the world! MEANWHILE Hayley's back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! H&J research the perennial questions: Can we really switch bodies?! and what IS Ares' type.... romantically???
S2E9 Sidequest Episode 3: The Planet Formerly Known as Xena Let's talk about the PLANET FORMERLY KNOWN AS XENA!!!!! That’s right! The dwarf planet Eris, the goddess of discord, identified in the early 2000s, was originally named Xena! Her moon was called Gabrielle! Freak out! In our final sidequest episode before our mini winter break and Hayley's return, we have a VERY SPECIAL GUEST! Astrologer Mary Swanson leads us through a discussion of the connections between the discovery of Eris, and the dwarf planet’s myths and psychological associations with personal and societal liberation! We end the interview with astrological birth chart readings for Lucy Lawless and Renee O’Connor! With a focus on what Eris is up to in their charts!
S2E8 Sidequest Episode 2: The Warrior Princess Hayley's still away, but Justine is here with some ancient warrior princess research! In this episode, we're researching Camilla of the Volsci, warrior princess of Virgil's Aeneid. In a time of ancient gods, warlords, and kings, A land in turmoil cried out for a hero...She was CAMILLA! A mighty princess Devoted to Diana, Goddess of the hunt And a hero to her people and country!
S2E7 Sidequest Episode 1: The Yellow Wallpaper - Hayley's away, so it's up to Justine to entertain you! Putting a pin in the episode recaps until Hayley's back and in the meantime, we'll visit some of our favorite themes! In this episode, we're kicking off Spooky Season with a tale Justine always think of when she hears Callisto's screams; One of Hayley & Justine’s favorite madwoman in the attic short stories:The Yellow Wallpaper, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Campy Horror! Feminist Themes! Psychological Thrills! Late 19th-century Gothic Aesthetics!
S2E6 WARRIOR…PRINCESS….TRAMP - Xena, Xena, Xena! Triplet strangers?! Joxer finds love and Gabby gets gaslit! MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research the history of “tramps” and the Aegis!
S2E5 Return of Callisto - Old Flames! Funeral Pyres! Vengeance! Quicksand! The patron saint of rage is BACK back and every drop of innocent bloodshed from here on out is on Xena’s hands! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research ancient Greek wedding rituals and quicksand!
S2E4 Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Xena fights an army of mysterious undead ladies, and Gabby joins a cult! MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research Orpheus & Bacchae!PLUS a special disembodied guest star from Justine & Hayley’s past PLUS PLUS a secret surprise musical at the end of the episode from friends of the pod: The Dead Sailor Girls!
S2E3 The Giant Killer - "Do you remember the tallest man you've ever seen?"- Jonathan Frakes MEANWHILE: Justine & Hayley research David & Goliath and myths about Giants from around the world!
S2E2 Remember Nothing - ALTERNATE TIMELINE ALERT !!! Xena embraces villager life and Gabby raids Xena’s mom’s closet! MEANWHILE Hayley continues her research into slavery in ancient Greece, Justine researches the 3 Fates and we get a quick lil intro to 20th Century Neopaganism!
S2E1 Orphan of War - New Season! New Characters! New Heartbreak! SAME WARRIOR PRINCESS!! Xena comes face to face with a decision she regrets! Gabby rides a centaur without asking first! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research the North Wind Boreas, Father of Centaurs Ixion, and Athenian Statesman Solon!
Season 2 Episodes ALSO Available On Your Favorites Podcast Platforms!
Links To Season 1 Episodes
S1E24 IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE? - IN OUR SEASON ONE FINALE Xena invents medicine, Gabby does NOT join a cult (!!!), PLUS Amazons, Centaur Babies, and Civil War!MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research Hippocrates, Galen, Asclepius, and birth practices of the ancient world!
S1E23 Death Mask - Xena confronts the man in the iron mask, and Gabby listens with her body! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research the history of passenger pigeons and a few notable masks through the ages!
S1E22 Callisto - Burn it all down, Callisto's in town! and Gabby breaks Joxer's nose for the first time! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research The Oracle of Delphi, Callisto in mythology, and chat a little about Hong Kong action films!
S1E21 The Greater Good - Gabby dons the armor and responsibilities of her
presumed dead lover and NOBODY TOUCH XENA'S HORSE !!!! MEANWHILE Hayley researches healing wells & sacred waters, and Justine researches the armor switching lovers from an ancient time: Achilles & Patroclus!
S1E20 Ties That Bind - Bad Dads Galore! Xena confronts a salt and pepper childhood trauma, and Gabby explores Shame Resilience Theory (SRT) with a new friend! MEANWHILE Justine and Hayley research the House of Atreus, and Slavery in Ancient Greece!
S1E19 Altared States - Xena interferes in a cult sacrifice! Gabby joins a "rock" band!! Karl Urban!!! MEANWHILE Hayley researches the goddess Hestia, and the biblical story of Abraham & Isaac. Justine researches the henbane plant, and human sacrificial practice in antiquity!
S1E17 The Royal Couple of Thieves - Bruce Campbell! PLUS pressure point fights, rock sugar switch-a-roos, and Gabby joins a cult! MEANWHILE Justine researches Autolycus, King of Thieves, and Hayley researches the Ark of the Covenant.
S1E16 Mortal Beloved - In this Episode Xena fights for love through heaven and hell and Gabrielle gets invited to a festival! MEANWHILE Hayley researches the ferryman of the underworld, Charon! and Justine researches Tartarus & the Elysian Fields!
S1E15 WARRIOR…PRINCESS? - In this episode we're TWINNING with Xena and her twin stranger! and Gabby writes a poem! MEANWHILE Hayley uncovers the differences between the Roman Goddess Diana and the Greek Artemis, and Justine loses herself to twin stranger youtube videos!
S1E14 A Fistful of Dinars - In this episode we travel with Xena, Gabby, and two 90's hair innovators to find the treasures of ancient Sumer and the strawberry jello mold of eternal life! MEANWHILE Hayley researches ancient Sumer, and Justine researches Ambrosia!
S1E13 Athens City Academy of the Performing Bards - NEW YEAR NEW GABBY APPRECIATION! In this episode Xena has an off screen solo adventure, while Gabrielle impresses us all with her bard and leadership skills! MEANWHILE Hayley & Justine research Orion, Homer, Euripides, and The Platonic Academy!
S1 Holiday Episode! - "Io Saturnalia!" This episode Justine & Hayley research holiday festivals of the ancient world AND realize a little something about Gabrielle!
Happy Holidays Everyone! See you in 2020!
S1E12 Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts - Xena ends the Trojan War in a day, and Gabby meets an old flame! MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley research Helen of Troy, Paris, Menelaus, Deiphobos, Polyxena, Penthesilea, and gives a VERY short breakdown of the Trojan War
S1E11 The Black Wolf - Xena pairs up with a disintegrating corpse for some underwater acting, while Gabby wears a hat! MEANWHILE Hayley researches ancient Greek prison systems, the Roman goddess Flora, and the Persian King Xerxes, while Justine researches the Greek hero Diomedes, Salmoneus, and the Feast of Zeus!
S1E10 hooves & harlots - Xena leads by example in an intersectional feminist lesson on dismantling patriarchal plots to disempower oppressed social groups, and Gabby gets a fighting stick! JK, Gabby goes through some huge identity transformations in this ep. MEANWHILE Justine researches Centaurs & Phantes, and Hayley tells us all about amazons and one of our favorite Goddesses, and friend of the pod, Artemis!
S1E9 Death In Chains - Xena finds a rat tube in a house of tricks, and Gabby's crush of the week is adorable! MEANWHILE Justine researches the myths around Sisyphus, Toxeus and a little bit of the Calydonian Boar Hunt AND Hayley researches the Gods of Death and we learn THE TRUTH ABOUT TALUS.
S1E8 prometheus-Xena and an ex-lover defeat an army of mutant bird babies, while Gabrielle tells the most romantic story! MEANWHILE Hayley researches the Goddess Hera AND what Prometheus was really all about, and Justine researches the Labors of Hercules and Ancient Greek Oracles!
S1E7 The Titans- Xena battles primordial giants using her wits, while Gabby joins a cult! MEANWHILE Hayley researches the history and lineage of the ancient Titans, while Justine investigates Xena's ululation battle cry, PLUS we translate a few of our favorite songs from the show and discuss the importance of female friendship visibility!
S1E6 THE RECKONING-Xena is set up by a mysterious stranger, and Gabrielle puts her faith in a small town's judicial system! MEANWHILE Justine & Hayley fangirl over the God of War!
S1E5 THE PATH NOT TAKEN-Xena breaks our hearts with a funeral dirge, & Gabrielle gets thrown in the stocks for helping a lovestruck prince! MEANWHILE Justine researches the original star-crossed lovers, Pyramus & Thisbe! AND we learn the truth about Mizentius: the Etruscan King“Contemptor Divum” (DESPISER OF THE GODS)! AND Hayley tells us about the beautiful Nereid Panope! AAAND about ancient Greek Funerary practices!
S1E4 CRADLE OF HOPE-Gabby kidnaps a baby & opens Pandora's box, while Xena brings families together through dance! MEANWHILE Justine gets into the history of Gryphons, Cherubs, and Ancient Greek currency, while Hayley unlocks the truth of Pandora's box!
S1E3 DREAM WORKER-Xena destroys her fears on the astral plane with the help of a blind Seer, and Gabby joins a cult! MEANWHILE Justine unveils the history of Lucid Dreaming, Hayley uncovers the myths surrounding Morpheus, the Dream God, and we all have a lovely discussion surrounding the Eleusinian Mysteries---the Ancient Greek rites performed during annual festivals outside of Athens in honor of the goddesses Demeter & Persephone.
S1E2 CHARIOTS OF WAR- Xena is coerced into a domestic cult, while Gabrielle searches for a "soft soul". MEANWHILE Justine and Hayley discuss the myth of Baucis & Philemon, the ancient Greek custom of Xenia, and Ares' son Cycnus.
S1E1 SINS OF THE PAST - In Sins of the Past we meet Xena, a former warlord on a path to redemption, and her plucky sidekick Gabrielle. Hayley and Justine discuss why Xena is their favorite super hero, the myth of Oedipus, and we get to know a Cyclops!
Season 1 Episodes ALSO Available On Your Favorites Podcast Platforms!
Research Topics & Episode Links
GODDESSES & GODS
Ares God of War, Artemis Goddess of the Hunt, Asclepius God of Medicine, Athena Goddess of War, Craft, and Reason, Dahak the One God, Diana Goddess of the Moon, Eris Goddess of Discord, Hades God of the Underworld, Hera Queen of the Gods, Hermes Messenger of the Gods, Hestia Goddess of Hearth and Home, Morpheus God of Dreams, Prometheus the Titan who Stole Fire, Titans the pre-Olympian Gods, Thanatos God of Death, The Three Fates, Zagreus God of the Underworld
HEROES AND HUMANS
Achilles the Greatest of All greek Warriors, Amazons the women warriors, Arthur mythical king of England, Autolycus the King of Thieves, Bandits in Ancient Greece, Boudica: Warrior Queen of the Iceni, Camilla of the Volsci, Cecrops mythical founder of Athens, Cleopatra Queen of Egypt, Cycnus Son of Ares, Julius Caesar Emperor of Rome, Deiphobos Prince of troy, Diomedes hero of the Trojan War, Euripides the Playwright, Galen ancient Greek Physician, Genghis Khan and the Golden Horde, Helen of Troy, Hippocrates Ancient Greek Physician, Homer the Poet, the Meleager host of the Calydonian Boar Hunt, Menelaus King of Sparta, Midwives of Ancient Greece, Mizentius the Despiser of the Gods, Oedipus King of Thebes, Oracles of Ancient Greece, The Oracle of Delphi, Orion the Giant Huntsman, Orestes the cursed son of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra Orpheus the musician poet & prophet, Patroclus Greek warrior and Achilles’ Lover, Paris Prince of Troy, Penelope the Queen of Ithaca, Penthesilea the Amazon Queen, Phantes the Egyptian prince, Polyxena Princess of Troy, The Saka People of the Eurasian Steppe, Salmoneus impious king and brother of Sisyphus, Solon the Athenian Statesman, Toxeus a bowman at the Calydonian Boar Hunt, Ulysses the king of Ithaca and hero of The Odyssey, Velasca the Bohemian Rebel, Xerxes the Persian King, Zenobia Warrior Queen of Palmyra
MYTHS & MAGICAL CREATURES
Bacchae the female followers of Bacchus, Banshees the female spirits of Irish folklore, Baucis & Philemon a cautionary tale of guest friendship, Boreas the North Wind, Callisto the Nymph, Centaurs, Cherubs, Cyclopes the One-Eyed Giant, Charon the Ferryman of the Underworld, Cupid & Psyche the eternal love story, David & Goliath the underdog vs Giant fight, Giants throughout history, Gryphons, The House of Atreus the cursed family line, Ibraham & Isaac a myth of sacrifice and faith, Ixion father of Centaurs, The Labors of Hercules, Pandora’s Box, Panope the Nereid, Pyramus & Thisbe the Star Crossed Lovers, Sisyphus & the meaninglessness of repetition, Talus the Giant Bronze Automaton
OBJECTS & ANIMALS
The Aegis Athena’s Shield, Ambrosia the Nectar of the Gods, The Ark of the Covenant religious relic of the Israelites, Currency in Ancient Greece, Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, The Enchiridion, Excalibur the mythical sword of King Arthur, The Henbane Plant,The HourGlass, Khrafstar a Zoroastrianist term for repulsive animals, Kites, Masks throughout History, Murder Mystery Games, Passenger Pigeons throughout History, Quicksand, Rodents in the Ancient World, Ships of Ancient Greece, Perkins Gilman’s The Yellow Wallpaper, Ululation & Xena’s Battlecry
PLACES & EVENTS
1940s Macedonia, Ancient Gaul, Birth Practices of Ancient Greece, Burial at Sea practices of the ancient Greeks and Early Modern Europeans, Drag Performance in Ancient Greece, The Eleusinian Mysteries, The Elysian Fields and paradise in the underworld, The Feast of Zeus, Funerary Practices in Ancient Greece, Healing Waters and Sacred Wells, The Ming Dynasty in China, The Ming Dynasty Era Great Wall, The Platonic Academy, prisons in Ancient Greece, Ritual Mass Suicide, Solstice & Equinox Celebrations around the World, Tartarus the underworld dungeon, The Trojan War, Saturnalia and Winter Holiday Festivals from the Ancient World, Sumer, Wedding Rituals in Ancient Greece, Village Life in the Ancient World
THEMES
Astrology, Blindness in Ancient Greece, Blacksmithing, Body Swapping, Cruel and Unusual Punishment in the Roman Empire and Dynastic China, Folk Horror, Feminist Utopias & Dystopias, Gladiators in Ancient Rome, Honor Culture in Ancient Greece, Human Sacrifice in Ancient Greece, Love Spells, Lucid Dreaming, Madness in Ancient Greek Comedy and Tragedy, Martial Art Choreography in Films, Miss America Pageants, Nazis and Archaeology, Neopaganism, Orphan Life in Ancient Greece, Simone de Beauvoir Social Theories, Slavery in Ancient Greece and MORE Slavery in Ancient Greece, Spirit Possession, Swarms, History of ’Tramps’, Twin Strangers, the concept of Virginity, Women in Early Archaeology, Xenia the ancient greek concept of hospitality
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